Apprentice Groundsperson

Sussex Cricket is believed to be the oldest professional sports club in the world.  The Grounds team play an essential and integral part in the success of the cricket team and wider club. In the last ten years, the Grounds team have twice been awarded the England and Wales Cricket Board’s best ‘One-Day Pitches’ trophy as well as receiving two commendations; including in 2017 coming runner-up for the ‘best four-day pitches’ and received a commendation for ‘four-day pitches’ in 2016 and 2019. The Grounds team won the Institute of Groundsmanship ‘Professional Cricket Grounds Team of the Year’ awards in 2016 and 2019.

In addition to preparing the wicket and the ground for match days at Hove, the Grounds team are also responsible for providing first-class quality practice facilities; re-laying the wickets; the irrigation and ground rejuvenation. With responsibility for the grounds at both Blackstone Academy and the Brighton Aldridge Community Academy.

The Role

This is an excellent learning opportunity and an exciting time to join the groundstaff at Sussex Cricket. This will provide the successful candidate with experience in producing some of the best pitches in domestic cricket as well as gaining experience of all forms of wicket preparation and the day-to-day maintenance of first-class playing surfaces. In recent years, the 1st Central County Ground has undergone a £9m re-development and is developing next phase of ground development.

The successful candidate will spend blocks of time at each of the cricket grounds (Hove, Brighton Aldridge Community Academy and Blackstone) gaining hands-on experience as well as learning machinery maintenance and grinding skills.

Working hours during the cricket season can be long and therefore a flexible approach is needed. Working weekends and evenings is also often necessary during the season. Working hours outside of the cricket season are more flexible. College attendance at college will typically be one day per week. 

As well as working as a Groundsperson during the cricket season, during the winter months the Apprentice Groundsperson will spend much of their time preparing the ground for the following season.

Please note that this particular role is physically demanding and so the candidate must be physically fit enough to be able to perform the duties required of the role.

Sussex Cricket Values 

Selflessness Honesty Accessibility Respect Enjoyment Drive 

Equal Opportunities 

Sussex Cricket is committed to improving the diversity of our workforce. We welcome applicants from all walks of life and backgrounds who can bring diversity of thought and experience to the Club. 

Sussex Cricket is committed to ensuring that all applicants do not receive less favourable treatment or are discriminated against, on the grounds of their age; disability; gender; marriage and civil partnership; pregnancy or maternity; race; religion or belief; sex or sexual orientation. 

Safeguarding 

Sussex Cricket is committed to safeguarding: protecting children, young people and adults at risk. As such, some roles may be subject to a process of vetting with the need for up-to-date DBS checks and the seeking of two work references that are satisfactory to Sussex Cricket.

Please send your completed application form to: recruitment@sussexcricket.co.uk